Sauce Gardner injury update: Colts CB helped off field, taken to locker room with apparent leg issue

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner suffered a non-contact calf injury in Sunday’s Week 13 home game against the Houston Texans. The injury occurred in the first quarter while he was covering Texans tight end Cade Stover.

Gardner could not put any weight on his left leg. He was helped to the locker room for further examination. Gardner has been ruled out, the Colts announced.

Sauce Gardner walks off the field in Indy VERY gingerly pic.twitter.com/33bMgT0aQf

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 30, 2025

Gardner, 25, was playing in his third game for the Colts, acquired from the New York Jets at the trade deadline. He entered Sunday’s contest with 33 tackles (26 solo) and eight PBUs. His 73.1 coverage grade is 17th among 108 cornerbacks, per Pro Football Focus.

Colts hoping for good news on Sauce Gardner

Gardner’s resume speaks for itself. Before Indianapolis, he was a two-time All-Pro with the Jets. The Colts already had a good defense without him; they’re hoping the addition of him will help put them over the top.

“His resumé speaks for itself,” head coach Shane Steichen said earlier this month. “He’s an unbelievable player. To get a bona fide number one corner in this league, it elevates everybody around us. He’s got all the elite traits you look for. He’s sticky in coverage, the pass-breakups, the interceptions, he’s feisty, he’s aggressive. Just to add that to the fold in the back end with the guys we already got back there, it’s going to elevate everybody.”

The Colts will be hoping to receive good news on Gardner’s injury. They are currently down 3-0 to the Texans.